Cytoprotective Effects of β-Melanocortin in the Rat Gastrointestinal Tract

• Main Authors: Gorana Aralica, Ana Kozmar, Ivan Alerić, Paško Konjevoda, Mirna Bradamante, Nikola Štambuk, Petra Turčić
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2012-10-01
• Series: Molecules
• Subjects: β-melanocortin; cytoprotection; gastritis; colitis; TNBS; hepatoprotection
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/17/10/11680

Recently discovered anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of melanocortin peptides led to the conclusion that they might serve as new anti-inflammatory therapeutics. The purpose of this work was to examine the effectiveness of β-melanocortin (β-MSH) in two experimental models: ethanol-induced gastric lesions and TNBS (2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid)-induced colitis in male Wistar rats. Three progressive doses of β-MSH were used: 0.125, 0.250 and 0.500 mg/kg. Our results suggest that β-MSH acts as a protective substance in the gastric lesions model, which can be seen as a statistically significant reduction of hemorrhagic lesions at all three doses, compared to the control group. The most efficient dose was 0.250 mg/kg. Statistically significant reduction in mucosal surface affected by necrosis and the reduction of overall degree of inflammation in the colitis model indicates an anti-inflammatory effect of β-MSH at a dose of 0.250 mg/kg. The results justify further research on β-MSH peptide and its derivates in the inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases, and point out the possibility of using β-MSH in studies of digestive system pharmacology.